Newsletter "UBA aktuell" - No.: 5/2018 | Umweltbundesamt

Walking – the underestimated way of getting around

The UBA recommends a nationwide walking strategy for Germany. Source: william87 / Fotolia.com

To make our urban areas more liveable, healthy and climate-friendly, the amount of cars on the road have to be decreased in the future. While it is widely accepted to provide support to public transport and cycling, the most natural form of mobility is often forgotten: walking. This low noise and emissions-free way of getting around has plenty of potential. After all, one fifth of all journeys made by car in Germany are less than two kilometres in length.  

The UBA estimates that by 2030, the proportion of journeys completed on foot in urban core areas (inner city areas not including suburbs) could be increased by around 50 per cent: from the current average of 27 percent to 41 percent. To achieve this, the UBA presented its proposals for a nationwide pedestrian transport strategy at the second German Fußverkehrskongress (Conference on Walking) on 12 October 2018. It aims at making walking more safe and appealing. 

The strategy suggests anchoring pedestrian accessibility in planning law, the introduction of 30 km/h as a general speed limit in built-up areas, as well as minimum standards for pavements and traffic light sequences to encourage walking. Along with enhancing the quality of life in urban areas, such an approach can help bring people together: Instead of interacting behind steering wheels and windscreens people can meet on town squares and pavements. 

“The Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG) makes a key contribution to protecting the environment”

Since 15 August 2018, all electrical and electronic devices have been covered by the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG), apart from those that are explicitly exempted. These can include bathroom cabinets that are fitted with lighting or training shoes with flashing LEDs, for example. UBA expert Isabel Wagner explains what consumers need to know. read more (in German)

A new low: Fewer and fewer returnable bottles

Fewer and fewer drinks are being filled in returnable bottles. The latest assessment concerning the bottling of drinks in Germany shows that in 2016, the proportion of drinks offered in returnable and environmentally beneficial non-reusable packaging fell to a new low: approximately 44 percent. It is therefore clear that the goal of 80 percent of total consumption, as specified in the Packaging Ordinance, is a long way from having been achieved. read more (in German)

Online survey launched on sustainable urban logistics

Where do municipalities and businesses in Germany stand today regarding the transport of goods in urban areas, and how can this be made more sustainable from their perspective? To find out, the UBA has launched an online survey of businesses in the logistics sector and municipalities. The survey is being completed by the opinion research institute Quotas. read more (in German)

Reduce EEG levy through alternative forms of financing & improve climate protection

The UBA recommends that the financing of the support provided to renewable energies is reformed and made fairer, and for this purpose, it commissioned a report. The authors of the report recommend that the future consumption of oil, coal, gas, diesel and petrol should incur charges according to the German Renewable Energy Act (EEG), and that these sources of energy should be taxed according to their CO2 emissions. read more (in German)

Computers in the workplace: tool for costs and environmental impact

The UBA recommends that computers which are used for administrative purposes should be used for at least six years. This relieves the burden on the environment and reduces costs. With a new Excel tool, those responsible for IT, purchasing and environmental protection in public authorities and other fields of administration can now calculate the life-cycle costs and greenhouse gas emissions of computer workstations, and compare different scenarios. read more (in German)

Innovative technology for the manufacturing of fibreglass reinforced pipelines

With the support of the Environmental Innovation Programme, an innovative technology for the manufacturing of fibreglass-reinforced pipelines has been established in Germany that saves materials, electricity and reduces CO2 emissions that pose a threat to the climate. The partner was the company Fiberpipe GFK Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH in Stolberg / Rhineland, which manufactures pipes made from fibreglass-reinforced polyester resins for the chemical industry, for shipbuilding and for power station construction. read more (in German)

Environmental justice at the municipal level

In socially deprived areas, the health hazards that arise from environmental influences such as noise or air pollution can often be very high. Maria Krautzberger, President of the UBA, on the topic of environmental justice in an interview with demo magazine: how can municipalities successfully combine protecting the environment and the climate with health and social justice? read more (in German)

Regulatory impact analysis: better laws through added transparency

Before the legislator decides on a law, its likely consequences are documented and assessed. On this basis, in Germany, the economic consequences and the arising costs take centre stage. The UBA also recommends presenting the environmental consequences in greater detail, dropping the “one in, one out” rule, and improving the scientific basis for the regulatory impact analysis. read more (in German)

New packaging register creates more transparency and fairness

Manufacturers of certain forms of packaging have to be registered in the new packaging register LUCID, otherwise, from 1 January 2019 onwards, they will no longer be able to bring their packaging into circulation. In this way, the new Packaging Act aims to create more transparency and fairness concerning the disposal of packaging. This is because the register clearly demonstrates whether a manufacturer is fulfilling their product-related responsibilities or not. read more (in German)

New evaluation scheme for the assessment of building products published by the AgBB

The German Committee for Health-related Evaluation of Building Products (AgBB), of which - among others - the UBA as well as federal and state-level authorities are members, has updated its evaluation scheme, incorporating new findings. The AgBB strongly emphasizes the necessity for the assessment in the interests of ensuring indoor air quality which poses no threat to human health as a protective goal according to construction law. read more (in German)

UBA Vice President Dr. Thomas Holzmann enters retirement

On 26 September 2018, a gathering took place to celebrate the retirement of the long-standing Vice President of the UBA, Dr. Thomas Holzmann, overseen by the Federal Minister of the Environment, Svenja Schulze. Dr. Michael Angrick has assumed the tasks of Vice President and will continue to manage department E of the UBA, the German Emissions Trading Authority (DEHSt). read more (in German)

May we introduce: the German Climate Preparedness Portal

With the German Climate Preparedness Portal, the German federal government is supporting municipalities, businesses and civic society with precise information and tools for the regional and sectoral challenges surrounding climate change. The UBA supports the portal with a network in which the participants are able to discuss, consult and learn from each other on the topic of climate change. read more (in German)

In tandem to new findings in the direction of sustainability

How can we express the current social challenges through the interplay between art and science? How can we critically accompany processes of transformation and smooth the way for a sustainable future? With these questions, artists have been invited to apply for a collaboration with the professionals of the UBA on the basis of a tandem scholarship. The jury has now reached its verdict. read more (in German)

Zero...

... is the average amount of grams of carbon dioxide that a diesel vehicle saves compared with a petrol vehicle. This was shown by the data for new vehicle registrations in 2017. Therefore, we can safely say that diesel vehicles don’t save our climate. The advantage of a diesel vehicle is purely on paper. In reality, the subsidised fuel has encouraged the trend towards SUVs and high-performance vehicles that have a high fuel consumption.